A GIN WHISKY – Score: 6.5/10
The Belgian whisky scene has been steadily gaining momentum over the past decade, with a handful of distilleries making a name for themselves beyond national borders. Names like The Belgian Owl, Waterloo, and Lambertus have become familiar to whisky enthusiasts looking for something different from traditional Scotch or Irish offerings. But it’s not just the whisky-focused producers who are entering the game. More versatile, generalist distilleries—such as DeCort, located near Halle—have also decided to dip their toes into the whisky world.
DeCort is best known for producing a broad portfolio of spirits, including vodka, pastis, and gin. Their focus hasn’t historically been whisky, but in 2024, they took a notable step into the category by launching their DeCort Reserve Batch #1. This first release is a cask-strength bottling, a bold move for a debut expression. The whisky is the result of an eclectic maturation process, drawing from four different types of casks: new French oak, Pedro Ximénez sherry, Oloroso sherry, and bourbon. It’s clear they weren’t playing it safe.
The outcome? A spirit that defies easy categorization. On the nose and palate, you’re greeted with a combination of fennel, mint, honey, and—most unexpectedly—juniper. And not just a hint of juniper. The presence is so pronounced that it raises eyebrows. It’s hard not to imagine that the stills used to produce gin may have been used again for whisky, perhaps without a thorough cleaning. That lingering gin character borders on distracting and makes this whisky feel like a cross between two categories—neither one fully expressed.
While the complexity offered by the range of cask types is certainly there in theory, in practice, the dominant herbal and spicy notes—particularly the juniper—tend to overshadow the rest. The texture is clean and the alcohol well-integrated, but the identity of the whisky seems a bit muddled.
All in all, this is a curious dram, and while it’s certainly drinkable, it may not satisfy those looking for a classic whisky experience. Instead, it’s likely to appeal more to adventurous drinkers or fans of gin-barrel experiments. A respectable first try, but one that leaves room for refinement in future batches.
